Modular tubular heat exchanger

A heat exchange module suitable for mounting together with a plurality of like heat exchange modules in side-by-side relationship between a gas inlet and a gas outlet to form a box-like array through which a heat exchange fluid passes in heat exchange relationship with the gas, said heat exchange modules comprising:

• a. a rectangular box-like support frame formed of a pair of end frame members spaced apart and interconnected at their respective corners by longitudinally elongated support members, the support members interconnecting the lowermost corners of the end frames providing a track surface;
• b. a tube bundle assembly disposed within said rectangular box-like support frame comprised of a pair of spaced tube sheets with aligned apertures therein and a plurality of longitudinally disposed heat exchange tubes extending between the aligned apertures in the spaced apart tube sheet providing a flow passage through which the heat exchange fluid may be passed in heat exchange relationship with the gas, said tube bundle assembly being translatable into and out of said support frame along the track surface provided by the support members interconnecting the lowermost corners of the end frames of said support frame;
• and
• c. attachment means for mounting said tube bundle assembly to said support frame, said attachment means including expansion means for accommodating translational movement of at least one tube sheet of said tube bundle assembly within said support frame as the heat exchange tubes of said tube bundle assembly expand or contract longitudinally.